It is possible it is just the flickering lights above causing the camera to miss-meter. I've had this happen with a D800/D4 at a basketball game. However, it looks very much like what happens when I accidentally nudge the exposure dial to 1/320. You might get it looked at if it isn't a problem with inconsistent lighting.

Dear All,I have this D800 with around 140k Shutter actuations, recently i have noticed something weird with the pics..

As you can see at the bottom of the pic there is this bar of darkness, it appears in many photos.. bare in mind that a SB-910 was used.. is this the shutter dying on me?

Very interesting. Can't say for sure, but I think I may have had the same problem with my D800E. At approximately the same shutter count as you stated (140K), I started seeing dark streaks across the bottom edge of my frames. Sometimes, the streak was fairly faint. Other times, it was quite large and very dark. The problem was evident with several of my lenses, and occurred when I was shooting in broad daylight (i.e., no flash). Over time, the dark streaks got blacker and bigger.

For example, here's the shot associated with shutter actuation 140,791. Note that I was holding the camera in portrait orientation, so the right edge corresponds to what would be the bottom edge in landscape orientation. The streak is quite evident.

I sent my D800E to the Nikon Service Center in Los Angeles with an explanation of the problem and a few sample photos demonstrating the streaking. The camera was nearly 4 months out of warranty, and I was expecting a big bill. To my surprise, Nikon fixed the problem at no charge. I'm away from home and don't have the final repair invoice with me, but here's a snippet from the estimate they emailed me.

The final repair invoice which Nikon shipped back to me with my camera indicated that they had replaced the mirror box (which, I assume, must have been faulty and played some role in creating the dark streaks), along with several other parts, including the rubber grip, and, ugggh, I can't remember what else. They also checked the camera for proper focus alignment, cleaned the sensor, and cleaned out all the dust and dirt that had gotten into the camera (I shoot a lot of beach sports).

Whatever they did, my D800E looked and worked like new - no more dark streaks! And, it's worked fine after several thousand additional shutter clicks. Anyhow, that's my story. I wonder if other D800/E owners are going to have similar experiences. Regards. -iwbs

Hello Everyone..I went today and shot an engagement session.. what a damn shame :'(Every single shot had this stupid frame, i tried every single shutter speed from 1" till 1/320*FP

I have even tried using the camera's built in flash.. still the same issue..

my problem is i live in Egypt.. we have no nikon service centers here, and i am pretty sure it is a grey market camera, we never get premium stuff like these in here, i don't even know what to do, i will pay the shop i bought it from a visit and hope for the best Until then.. my D600 all the time :/

Okay now after receiving it from the local store.. the issue with the black bar is fixed completely.HOWEVER..

The focusing system is screwed.. the camera is unable to autofocus on anything, no matter what it is or how i am focusing.. i can see it in the viewfinder.. the subject at the focus point is actually out of focus and when i am trying to autofocus the camera keeps hunting..

i guess they screwed something while fixing the mirror :/

Do you think this is an easy task to fix or am i screwed? i will try to get a refund for the camera but it won't be an easy task, at all..

Okay now after receiving it from the local store.. the issue with the black bar is fixed completely.HOWEVER..

The focusing system is screwed.. the camera is unable to autofocus on anything, no matter what it is or how i am focusing.. i can see it in the viewfinder.. the subject at the focus point is actually out of focus and when i am trying to autofocus the camera keeps hunting..

i guess they screwed something while fixing the mirror :/

Do you think this is an easy task to fix or am i screwed? i will try to get a refund for the camera but it won't be an easy task, at all..

As long as Nikon or an authorized service center - or any reputable independent service center - performed the work, you should have a service warranty. It's their responsibility to correct the issue they caused.

Sounds like the camera was re-assembled incorrectly. Don't panic; just stand up for your rights.